Green Living Myths

GREEN LIVING MYTHS

By John Scaglione

MYTH 1: ENVIRONMENTAL MEANS BECOMING VEGETARIAN           
FACT: There is a growing trend to encourage organic farming or other sustainable methods such as permaculture rather than the traditional methods used today. Not to be confused with a movement called Environmental Vegetarianism. Yes, those groups are vegetarian but that doesn’t mean you have to be one to help save the planet. There are hundreds of actions steps you can take right in your own home to start making a difference all without being a vegetarian.

MYTH 2: YOU HAVE TO BE LIBERAL TO BE GREEN 
FACT: Liberals have embraced current environmental issues but we are really talking about Conservation. Many conservatives were and are dedicated to the environment. Teddy Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower. Richard Nixon helped enact landmark environmental laws and believed that conservation would unify people. Gerald Ford. The media made him out to be a bumbling president Ford was responsible for 18 national parks and the designation of 3.4 million acres or wilderness area. How can we forget good old Ronald Reagan? He was very conservative yet he signed 43 wilderness bills in to law and not to be out done by Gerald Ford, President Reagan designated 10.6 million acres and was very instrumental in the United States ratification of the Montreal Protocol. That law is responsible for reducing green house gas emissions and other environmental standards. In short, don’t confuse conservation with conservatives or liberals.


MYTH 3: PAPER IS BETTER THAN PLASTIC
FACT:  Paper or Plastic? The truth is both are bad. In the 70’s we were encouraged to choose plastic over paper to SAVE TREES. In the 90’s we realized that plastic was made from oil and oil is bad according to liberal environmentalist. It takes tons of carbon to manufacture plastic bags. Plastic bags are piling up in our land fills. Yes, they are recyclable but people have to recycle them. If we don’t those very same plastic bags end up taking hundreds of years to breakdown. They’ve been shown to be harmful to animals. So what do you choose? Paper or Plastic? The best answer for now is neither. Bring your own reusable fabric bag to the store. We might find something wrong with that in 20 years but for now it’s the best choice. Reusable fabric bags help save trees, carbon and animals.

MYTH 4: ELECTRIC CARS ARE BETTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
FACT: Aren’t you confused? I thought we were supposed to be reducing our electric consumption. Here’s the truth. Over 49% of electricity generated by our local power companies come from Coal. Almost 20% is Nuclear derived. Nuclear energy produces Nuclear waste contaminating our environment. While on the other hand Coal harms the air. Only 3% of power plants use Petroleum to produce electricity. For now, I think the jury is out on Electric cars.